April's Angel Read online

  Jace’s brain kicked in and he pulled away from his face darkening with anger at his stupidity. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  Angie dropped her eyes. She knew that the excitement of the ride and the accomplishment she had achieved had fooled them into thinking there was something more between them. “It’s all right,” she said not meeting his eyes. “It’s been an exciting day.”

  “We’d better head back, but we can trot and canter more if you’d like.”

  “I’m sure the practice will be helpful.” Angie’s voice was flat, but she was still thinking about the kiss.

  Together the riders turned back toward the ranch and soon they were trotting for a few strides then cantering. Angie’s heart began to soar again at each change of pace, and she discovered that as much as she desired to help others heal and recover from injury or health issues, this time on horseback had been healing for her as well. She had regained a confidence that had been faltering for far too long, and much of it was due to the cowboy riding ahead of her on the trail, his horse cantering smoothly over the grass.

  “Jace!” Angie cried as they took a turn. The cowboy had turned his head for a split second to check on her and missed the low hanging branch by the side of the trail. His head connected with a resounding smack as he sailed over his horse’s side landing like a dropped ragdoll on the earth.

  “Jace! Jace!” Angie screamed but he didn’t stir as his mount galloped on. “God help us!” Angie cried as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. “Jace, wake up, please wake up!”

  Angie started to unbuckle the strap that held her upright in the saddle. She would get down and see if he were still alive, but even as her shaking fingers came in contact with the buckle, she knew she couldn’t do it. How would they get help if she let herself down? There was no way she could get back up or get Jace onto Ben’s back.

  Closing her eyes, she whispered a prayer then turned away from the crumpled cowboy. “Ben, we have to get to the ranch as fast as we can,” she said checking her straps and stirrups then tying the reins over the horse’s neck as she grasped the two sturdy bars on the saddle. “Run,” she cried to the big horse, “Run.”

  The big buckskin leapt forward slamming Angie back against the high back of her saddle but she held tight to the saddle bars leaning forward slightly as Jace had taught her. Her legs, secure in the stirrup straps twitched slightly as every useless muscle tried to aid in the ride as Ben skimmed over the earth.

  Never before had Angie felt such speed and strength surge before her, but the old horse seemed to know what he was doing, and she never touched the reins she had secured. Instead, horse and rider seemed bent on one goal, get to the ranch, and get help.

  ***

  “Whoa!” Chase Haven twisted his mount toward the running horse lining his horse out beside old Ben as a guest charged into the yard.

  “Help!” Angie gulped air, heaving almost as hard as the old horse. “Help, Jace is hurt.”

  “Where?” Chase asked reaching out and taking Ben’s reins. “Just point, I’ll get him,” he added pulling a phone from his pocket.

  “Back that trail,” Angie sobbed pointing, she was shaking now from shock and fear, yet her mind was clear and panic didn’t threaten. Jace needed her to stay calm. Slowly she turned her heaving horse and pointed back down the trail she had just come from. “There’s a bend in the trail and he got hit by a tree branch.”

  Chase barked orders into the phone then patted Angie’s hand. “Stay here, someone will be along to help you down.” In a second, his big dark bay horse was charging across the road and turning up the trail.

  “Please God, let Jace be alright.”

  “Miss,” a kind voice caught Angie’s ear and she looked down into the smiling face of a grizzled older man, his red and white beard bristled but his dark eyes were kind. “Let’s get you down and settled,” he said. “I’m Red and I know Jace has been helping you. Seem’s you’re a quick study too.”

  A sense of peace washed over Angie as the older man took Ben’s reins and urged the tired horse toward the barn. A few minutes later, the sound of an ambulance racing up the drive jangled her nerves, but Red calmly helped her down from the saddle and deposited her in her chair.

  Angie leaned forward, her head resting against Ben’s shoulder. “Thank you, Ben,” she whispered.

  The old horse nickered and Angie looked over at Red. “Please give him a cookie,” she said her heart aching at the thought that Jace might never see the horse’s ears prick at the word again.

  “I’ll take good care of him darlin’,” the old wrangler said. “You go on over and see what’s happening.”

  An ATV came bouncing into the yard, Kade Ballard sitting up on the back part of the seat holding a dazed Jace in front of him. Angie pushed her chair recklessly across the road to the waiting ambulance and past the crowd of curious onlookers that had begun to gather. An EMT helped Kade get Jace onto a stretcher but the sound of a racing horse made everyone look back down the trail as Chase galloped into the yard, pulling his horse to a skidding halt and leaping from the saddle before the animal had stopped.

  “Is he all right?” Angie asked not knowing who to address. “Is Jace going to be okay?”

  “We’ll take him to the hospital,” the man in the EMT uniform said pushing toward the back of the Ambulance.

  “Kade, what’s going on?” Michelle hurried from the house her little girl clinging to her while Kadence gazed around her legs curiously.

  “Jace got knocked out,” Kade said as the ambulance doors slammed shut.

  “Angie, you come with me.” Michelle barked handing her two children off to their father. “I know you won’t rest until you’re sure Jace is going to be fine.”

  Kade took Olivia in his big hands settling her onto the seat in front of him while Kadence climbed on behind then tipped his head to Michelle accepting her quick kiss. “Be careful,” he drawled.

  Angie smiled with relief as she and Michelle turned down the drive. She wasn’t sure she could have driven herself to the hospital, and a new wave of thankfulness swamped her.

  “Go on,” Chase agreed as Phil joined him and began calmly dispersing the guests. “One of our wranglers took a tumble,” the auburn-haired woman said, offering a kind grin. “He’ll be all right, after all, he’s Chase’s cousin, and we know all those boys have hard heads.”

  A nervous laugh rippled through the onlookers, but moments later they had moved on toward their planned activities.

  “Come on,” Michelle said heading toward the parking lot. “My car is closest.”

  ***

  A half-hour later Angie and Michelle were sitting in the waiting room of the local hospital, impatient to hear how Jace was. Michelle had kept the ranch up to date on any news and had finally heard of Angie’s wild ride home to get help.

  “I’m pretty impressed,” she said clicking off the phone and turning to Angie. “You rode all the way home at a full gallop when you wouldn’t even get on a horse just a few days ago.”

  “Jace has helped me,” Angie’s voice was soft, full of worry. “I hope he’s okay.”

  “I’m sure we’ll know something soon.” Michelle dropped a hand to Angie’s wrist. “You want some coffee or anything?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  “You like him don’t you?” Michelle’s question came out of left field, catching Angie by surprise, and she didn’t answer immediately as she thought the question over.

  “I do,” she finally stated. “He’s a good guy and has been so helpful. Besides I’m on Spring Break and there’s nothing like a holiday crush to see a girl through long hours of study.”

  Michelle shook her head. “Good try,” she laughed. “I can see that there’s more to it than that. You should tell him.”

  “Michelle, I’m only here for a few more days. A two week trip to a dude ranch is hardly going to result in undying love and devotion.”

  “Why? You were on
ly here a week last time and we all remembered you and love you.”

  Angie gasped meeting the woman’s dark eyes.

  “Angie you’re special,” Michelle continued before the girl could protest. “You’re like a little angel God sends into a life for a brief time to bring blessing. In all the time, any of us have spent with you, you have never once complained about your handicap. You just accept it for what it is and work to do your best anyway. You rush in like an April shower bathing everyone on your sweet presence and kindness. Don’t steal Jace’s chance at falling for you just because you think it is too soon. That should be up to him.”

  Angie opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say anything Michelle had hurried from the room digging in her purse for a handful of change, as her words worked their way through the chinks in Angie’s armor.

  Was she denying her chance at something special with the cowboy who had all but stolen her heart already? Did he care for her the way she knew she could care for him? She thought about the brief kiss only a short time ago and heat filled her. A soft warmth like the sigh of a crackling fire in a fireplace.

  “Miss, are you here about Mr. Anson?” a nurse asked as she walked into the drab waiting area.

  “Yes, I’m Angie, his… his friend.”

  “Well, he’s been asking for you if you’ll come along. I think he’ll be calmer knowing you’re all right. You are aren’t you?”

  “I’m fine,” Angie grinned pushing her wheels to follow the nurse. “I’ll be better when I see Jace though.”

  Angie’s face fell when she saw Jace lying on the stiff bed his head wrapped in a white bandage. “Oh,” she gasped noting the smear of blood on his forehead.

  “Angie,” Jace lifted his head flinching at the action, but the hand he reached out to her was steady.

  “Jace, don’t move.”

  The cowboy grinned. “I think I’ve heard that a few times already. I’m just relieved to see you. This was pretty stupid,” he added pointing at his bandage. “Something could have happened to you.”

  “I’m fine,” Angie smiled her heart filling with pride. “I just aimed Ben toward home and told him you needed help. We raced all the way back to the ranch.”

  “Raced?” Jace raised an eyebrow.

  “Raced, I’ve never gone so fast before, but I held on just like you told me too, and Ben took us to get help. I made sure Red gave him a cookie,” she added a relieved giggle bubbling from her lips.

  Jace’s chuckle was a sweet reward and he squeezed her hand. “It sounds like he earned it.”

  “Jace, are you all right?” Angie squeezed his hand back and he sighed.

  “The doctors are saying I have a mild concussion, but that I’ll be fine.”

  Angie scooted closer still holding his hand. “I’m glad,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t want to lose someone I care about.” She lifted her eyes on the last word as fear clawed at her. She had told him, and those very words could push him away.

  Jace’s eyes held hers, but he didn’t speak and as the tension built, she was sure he was going to tell her that he didn’t feel that way about her. Then something twisted in her heart, and she let it all go. She had gotten to know this kind, cowboy. She had shared this time with him, and if it was all she ever got, it would be enough. God had her future buttoned up she had to stop worrying about it.

  “I was afraid I’d lost you too. I let you down.”

  The look in Jace’s eyes pierced through Angie’s heart. “I’ll be here as long as you want me.”

  Jace squeezed her hand and grinned. He looked tired but a light shone in his eyes that warmed Angie to her toes.

  “There you are,” Michelle walked in a bright smile on her face and a Styrofoam cup in her hand. “Jace you look like you took a hit to the head.” The petite dark-haired woman teased, her eyes sparkling when she saw Angie and Jace’s linked hands. “I can see you’re in good hands though, so I’ll go call Phil and let her know.” Michelle winked at Angie as she turned away walking back out the door already pushing buttons on her phone.

  Jace and Angie sat quietly for several minutes, neither speaking.

  “Do you think they’ll let you go home today?” Angie finally asked. She hadn’t thought about the implications of racing off with Michelle to get to the hospital. How was she going to get home? How would Jace get back?

  “I think the doctor will be back soon. I’ll know more then.” His thumb ran absently over her hand as he spoke and Angie smiled at the tingles running up her arm.

  “Angie, I’m sorry.” Jace turned, capturing her eyes. “I should have been paying attention. You could have been hurt.”

  “Jace, it was an accident. You were looking out for me when it happened. Besides, it showed me exactly what I was capable of. If I’m ever in a situation where something goes wrong, I know I can do something about it. As much as I hate seeing you banged up like this, I have to say I think this has taken care of my fear. Even if I fail, I know what I’m capable of, and you helped me every step of the way.”

  Jace squeezed Angie’s hand again willing some of his strength into her. “I’m a lucky man,” he whispered. “I have my very own special angel right here.”

  Chapter 15

  Jace rode home with Angie and Michelle his mind full of all of the issues at hand. He needed to talk to Chase. There was a good possibility that, cousin or not, he was about to lose his job.

  Would it be so bad if he did? He could take Ben back to his father’s barn and find other work somewhere, but what about Angie? He didn’t want to say goodbye to her. He wanted to get to know her and explore the possibility of a future with her.

  “You’re mighty quiet,” Michelle quipped glancing in the mirror at him. “You okay?”

  “I’m good,” Jace smiled. “Just thinking of the conversation I’ll be having with Chase. He’s not going to be happy.”

  “He’ll be happy you’re not badly hurt,” Angie added. “He has to be.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “I’ll go with you if you want,” Angie bit her lower lip worrying over the problem. Jace had only been helping her. It wasn’t his fault that one moment of inattention had led to disaster. She was the guest here and was safe, how could Chase or Phil be mad about that?

  “No, I think I need to do this on my own.”

  Angie nodded settling in for the quiet ride home. There was nothing she could do, but let Jace face the music. She only hoped that it wouldn’t cost him his job.

  ***

  “Jace go home and rest,” Chase said when Jace stumbled up the stairs of the house in the middle of the horse pasture. “You look awful.”

  “It’s not that bad Chase,” the cowboy said stopping to lean against the porch rail. “Head hurts, but I’ll live.”

  Chase snorted but didn’t argue.

  “I’m sorry about this. I’m sure it wasn’t good for business to have an ambulance take one of your wranglers away. It looks bad.”

  “Jace, we’ve been fortunate here at the Broken J. A lot of things can go wrong when you mix novice riders with horses, cows, and cowhands. So far, we’ve had no major injuries. You know any kind of ranch work has its risks, so I’m not going to give you grief over this accident. I’m not happy that one of our guests was the one to have to ride in and save you, but in the end, you’re okay.”

  Jace nodded then squinted against the pain. “She’s a special kind of lady.”

  Chase turned, his blue eyes piercing Jace. “You like her?”

  “I think it’s more than that,” Jace admitted. “There’s something special about that girl, and it feels like we fit together somehow.”

  Chase chuckled. “She is special. Phil was saying that just yesterday. Angela, a little broken angel if there ever was one. What are you going to do about it?”

  “I don’t know exactly yet,” Jace said turning to look out over the field his eyes picking out the horses grazing on the lush grass. “I guess I’ll just have to see where it
all goes.”

  “You won’t be the first of my wranglers to meet someone special here on the Broken J. This place has a long history of bringing the right people together. I hope it works out for you.”

  Jace smiled turning to take Chase’s hand. “Thanks, Boss,” he grinned before turning and walking away.

  ***

  It was Angie’s last day on the ranch and her heart ached with leaving. She didn’t know how she was going to say goodbye to Jace. In two short weeks, she had come to love him, and as silly as that seemed, it was still true.

  They had spent the last few days together almost inseparable, and Jace had insisted she ride Ben as much as possible. She had worked with the big buckskin in the corral listening to Jace who gave directions or offered suggestions. He’d been grounded for a few days with his head injury but seemed to have recovered, and Angie couldn’t help but be thankful for the extra time they had to spend together. She rather liked not sharing him with all of the other guests.

  “Good morning beautiful,” Jace called, as Angie wheeled herself from her cabin and onto the verdant green grass of spring’s new growth.

  “How long have you been standing here waiting to say that?” Angie’s bright laugh filled the morning with delight.

  “About ten minutes. I thought I’d walk you to breakfast.”

  Angie rolled down the ramp stopping next to the cowboy who reached out and took her hand before leaning in and planting a firm kiss on her lips. She was startled but pleased.

  “It’s a nice day,” Jace said looking up and across the field toward the ranch. “I think we should make the most of it.”

  Together they wheeled toward the big ranch house and were soon breathing in the heavenly scent of pancakes.

  “What do you want to do today?” Angie asked. She was still a little hesitant about the relationship that seemed to be growing and wasn’t sure how to move forward with it. It was yet another new and thrilling experience in her life. She and Jace had agreed to stay in touch, but what if once she left the ranch everything faded away?

  “Angie,” Jace stopped turning to look at her and taking her hand. “I know we haven’t known each other very long and that this whole thing is new to both of us, but…” He paused for a moment collecting his thoughts. “Well, I like you, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”